How to Host an FTP Server
There are many ways to share files between computers across the Internet, but one of the easiest and most common ways is via the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It is easy to host an FTP server from a Windows, Linux or Mac computer. FTP is very flexible and will allow you to share files and directories, create user accounts and allows both uploads and downloads to your server.
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Instructions
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Select FTP server software. There are many free options available to use when you host an FTP server. A good choice for a Windows server is FileZilla, and Pure-FTPd can be used on Linux or Mac machines. These are only two examples, and you will want to read the documentation for these pieces of software from their websites before deciding if they are right for you.
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Set up the directory structure for your FTP server. This is as simple as creating a new folder and any subfolders you would like people logging into your FTP server to have access to. In your chosen FTP server software, set the highest directory you want users to be able to access as the root folder of the FTP server you are going to host.
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Create accounts for the people you want to grant FTP access to. When you host an FTP server, it is important to know who has access to the files you are hosting, as well as who has privileges to upload files. If you allow anonymous public access you can have security issues (like malicious users uploading viruses and other malware) that can lead to problems in the future.
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Determine the IP address of the computer you are using to host the FTP server. WhatIsMyIP.com is a useful resource for doing this. The IP address is what your users will need in order to access the server. A broadband connection is required to ensure that the computer has a static IP address. A dailup connection will result in your FTP server having a different address every time you connect to the Internet.
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Tips & Warnings
By default FTP uses port 21, according to NTC Hosting. Make sure you don't have this port blocked in any firewall or other security software on your FTP server.
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